Maintaining a landscape is hard work that pays off with incredible rewards. While many parts of a landscape can sit idle for entire seasons or even many years, the lawn needs consistent care. Our many years of experience have taught us that having a schedule and sticking to it are the keys to a healthy lawn. There are important steps to be taken at specific times of the year when caring for a lawn. If staying on top of the schedule isn’t possible, don’t worry, because professionals near you know how to make lawn care an essential part of the landscaping routine in Grosse Ile, MI.
Watering Tips
Your lawn care pros likely don’t manage your irrigation schedule. If that’s the case, there are a few watering tips that will keep your lawn healthy in any season. Lawns need watering every few days through the growing season. The heat and drought of summer can take its toll. Proper watering should take place very early in the morning so that the lawn doesn’t remain soggy overnight after an evening watering (which will cause mildew growth) or so the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly after a midday watering. Water deeply, at least 2” at a time to encourage deep root growth. To avoid having to remember watering day and constantly move sprinklers around, consider installing an automatic irrigation system that can be calibrated for specific parts of your lawn to ensure your lawn gets the right amount of water based on rainfall and soil moisture levels.
Mowing
Although it’s one of the most well known parts of landscape maintenance, mowing a lawn isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Many homeowners do more harm than good by mowing the grass too short (which dries the soil out and stresses the grass); or by mowing too long, which will mean too much moisture retention which could attract pests and disease. The sweet spot for mowing is somewhere between 3.25” and 4”.
Also remember that mower maintenance has a huge impact on the health of your lawn. The mower blades need to be as sharp as possible in order to slice through the grass cleanly, which allows the plant to quickly heal and regenerate. Dull mower blades will tear at the grass, creating a big scar across the plant. This will result in damaged tips, creating an unsightly surface that appears brown with green underneath.
Weed and Feed
Weeds that threaten to take over a lawn are the scourge of any landscaper’s existence. Weeds are fast-growing and difficult to remove once they’ve reached maturity. That’s why pre-emergent herbicides as well as ongoing post-emergent herbicide use throughout the growing season is critical. It may be tempting to use a weed-and-feed formulation all year to manage weeds and nourish the grass, but improper application of fertilizer can harm the grass; and you may not be treating the right weeds. A lawn care professional will know exactly which formulations to use, and when.
Seasonal Tasks
Dethatching and aeration after the summer heat will ensure that the turf roots have all the moisture, nutrients, and air they need. During their regular tasks, lawn care pros will also assess the health of your grass and address problems quickly. They will also perform soil testing to ensure the use of fertilizers that will actually benefit the lawn.
Lawn care may not be rocket science, but it’s a science nonetheless… married with a thorough knowledge of the needs of lawn grasses. Let the pros handle these ongoing chores, and free up your time to spend with family while your lawn gets the consistency of care it needs.
Related: WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WITH EXPERT FALL LAWN CARE IN TRENTON AND WOODHAVEN, MI?
